Iran shock Japan in U-19 championship [VIDEO]

AFC – RAS AL KHAIMAH, Iran took the early initiative in Group A of the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship after a 2-0 victory over Japan took them to the top of the table following host UAE’s 1-1 draw with Kuwait earlier on Saturday.

Iran took the lead just two minutes into a highly-charged encounter at the Emirates Club Stadium through Behnam Barzay’s header before substitute midfielder Hossein Fazeli scored with his only his second touch in the 56th minute to settle the contest between the two Group A favourites.

Japan, who sit at the bottom of the table after the first round of matches, never recovered from the early shock or the second goal and registered just three shots on target throughout the entire match while the dominant Iranians hit the woodwork twice and had numerous chances to add to their two-goal tally.

Iran got off to a flying start when Barzay made amends for failing to convert a chance moments earlier when he connected with Ahmad Abdollahzadeh’s corner with barely 120 seconds gone.

Abdollahzadeh came close to doubling Iran’s lead in the 7th minute but his fierce shot was parried by Japan goalkeeper Masathoshi Kushibiki before the East Asians came close to drawing level when Daiki Watari’s volley hit the post seven minutes later.

Japan had another chance just before the half-hour mark but Iran keeper Mohammad Naseri saved brilliantly from Gakuto Notsuda’s powerful shot to ensure his side took their one-goal lead into the break.

Japan coach Yasushi Yoshida looked to freshen up his attack by replacing Watari with Yajima Shinya while Iran coach Akbar Argi took a more defensive approach by bringing on midfielder Fazeli for striker Ali Choopani.

But the move unexpectedly paid off in an attacking sense when Fazeli scored at the second time of asking when Kushibiki failed to gather the rebound after his initial effort from Sardar Azmoun’s cross had struck the post.

Japan had the proverbial mountain to climb to get back into the game but the dominant Iranians never allowed the East Asians to get a foothold and comfortably held on for the win.

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